New Missile Extends Range Of UK Quick Reaction Typhoon Jets - BAE Systems

The Meteor Air-to-Air missile has been tested for the first time on a Royal Air Force Typhoon jet fighter, extending the offensive range of an aircraft that are frequently used to intercept Russian jets approaching UK airspace, the BAE Systems announced in a press release on Monday.

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 10th December, 2018) The Meteor Air-to-Air missile has been tested for the first time on a Royal Air Force Typhoon jet fighter, extending the offensive range of an aircraft that are frequently used to intercept Russian jets approaching UK airspace, the BAE Systems announced in a press release on Monday.

"The introduction of Meteor brings a new and innovative long-range capability and further enhances Typhoon's already potent arsenal," the release said. "This year they [Typhoons] have been scrambled for a variety of incidents including intercepting Russian bombers approaching UK airspace.

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The Meteor missile can fly in any weather condition, perform against all current and known future threats; including combat aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles/missiles and will eventually operate from the F-35 Lightning aircraft, the release said.

Meteor is a state of the art complex weapon developed by a six-nation European partnership led by the UK, the release said. The missile is made by MBDA, a European developer and manufacturer of missiles.